The Court convened the December issue with the good news that THADMIRAL ALLEN had been continued.  The Court will come to order in this issue with even better news...as reported in ALCOAST 446/00, the Secretary of Transportation has approved and forwarded to the President the nomination of RADM THAD W. ALLEN as Commander, Atlantic Area, Fifth Coast Guard District and Maritime Defense Zone Atlantic. CONGRATULATIONS on the third star THAD!

And more congratulations are in order.  I noticed a little blurb in the G-L highlights crossing my terminal and confirmed with PAT WIESE, newly appointed to the Senior Executive Service.  PAT fills in the details: "Effective Monday Nov. 20, 2000, I became the deputy Chief Counsel of the Maritime Administration.  It is an SES position with a nice increase of salary.  I was selected in mid Sept, but the approval process at OPM is excruciating.  It took 2 months.  I also get to be "Acting."  We haven't had a Chief Counsel for over a year and don't expect to have one for a while under a new administration.  I am learning a lot and will have to learn more.  I did step forward to CHUCK BECK and admit that I was the last class president.  The selection was by acclimation, meaning that somebody said if we just selected the same people from the previous year we wouldn't have to stay and vote and could get out of the meeting. With that rousing show of support, I was elected for first class year."  CONGRATULATIONS PAT on the move into the governmental Flag ranks and on our acclimation as Class President just those few years ago!

ROGER COURSEY reported around with the following update: "I retired in 1994 and returned home to Georgia. I built a log home outside of Clyo (which is outside of Savannah, GA) on the 287 acres I had acquired over the years.  I started teaching Navy JROTC at Aiken HS in Aiken, SC in Feb 1995.  In the summer of 1995 I got hired at Johnson HS in Savannah, then on to South Effingham HS in the summer of 96.  I started a new NJROTC Unit at South Effingham when the school opened.  I am now in my seventh year of teaching NJROTC.  I went through a "not so nice" divorce after 24 years of marriage in 1997-98.  My 4 kids are now all graduated from high school. I met a very nice lady and got remarried in Dec 1999.  I became an instant grandpa with 5 grand kids.  I hope to make homecoming next year for our 30th." CONGRATULATIONS on your 1st Anniversary ROG...and we're looking forward to a photo of Grandpa, Grandma, and the 5 grand kids!

J. B. WILLIS has accepted a great job offer from CENTECH Group, Inc. They are a medium sized computer and manufacturing company based in Ballston, Virginia.  They came looking for him about mid-summer and the job they needed filled (Vice President of QA) could not wait until he completed his 30 years next June.  He is probably wearing business suits to work even as you read this.  J.B. added that it was a tough decision, but he thought it will be fun working with these new guys and that the nice thing about this career decision was that it doesn't have to be 'forever.' Keep us posted on how the VPing goes!

TOM GEMMELL reports that he and MIKE CONWAY had lunch in Fairbanks and got to visit with KEN COFFLAND for a brief time.  TOM says KEN's alive and well flying out of Fairbanks, including air ambulance work. KEN...where's that COFFLAND update I asked for? TOM also mentioned a long lost classmate being an Alaskan State Trooper.  Using the Internet, I sent an inquiry to the Fraternal Order of Alaskan State Troopers...a very interesting web site...and CARL SCHRAMM responded: "FOAST was kind enough to forward your e-mail to me. I am indeed a State Trooper stationed in King Salmon. For the better part of the past 20 years I've worked in the more remote locations in this state, so I have had only limited contact with old classmates. It's good to see a name from the past."  CARL also reports that despite rumors to the contrary, they are trying to work their way into the 21st century up north in Alaska and do have e-mail...so drop him a note linking from our Classmates page at <http://www.oocities.org/CollegePark/Campus/7184/classmates.html>.

HAP HARRIS sent in a quick note with the photo from the Olympics.  "Thought this picture of me, MARLAYNE, PHIL and ANNE VOLK might be useful. PHIL took us up to a beautiful spot in the mountains behind Port Angeles.  I put my camera on delay and got this picture.  We were out to visit with PHIL and ANNE under the pretense of going to the Ancient Order of the Pterodactyl and they were the perfect hosts ... and we were the perfect freeloaders.  I left a chalk mark on the curb in front of Phil's house in case any other bums are in the neighborhood and are looking for a great place to stay!" Been there, done that, everyone should...they are perfect hosts!

BARNEY got a preview of the photo and asked a probing question: "I noticed the aviators both holding their eye-glasses in hand.  Is that a cloud or a 747 coming right at us?"  BARNEY continues with a quick update from Maine: "All's well in Benton.  LINDA's still tending to her Mom every day.  LINDA did a big craft show yesterday, too, down in the big city - Portland.  She has more power tools than Bob Villa...and no missing fingers!  As I type this, the snow is blowing across the yard, about 2 inches on the grass.  Need to sharpen the ski's and dust off the Ben-Gay, leg-splints and body cast.  We aren't web-casting yet on WMHB, but I'll let "you" all know when "ODD ROCK" with CAP'N BARNEY hits the international air-waves.  Marconi will be rolling over in his grave, I'm sure.  Town Office work is steady. I convinced "them" to hire a full-timer so I can revert back (pun-intended) to part-time work. I even had to work yesterday - a Saturday!  Don't they know I'm an M type?  It was the first Annual Town of Benton rabies clinic.  The vet vaccinated 101 dogs and cats -- and several owners.  And yes, we hired the carpet-cleaning guy to do the carpet yesterday afternoon when the clinic ended -- nothing like a horde of excited dogs (and a few owners). My next "job" is working the up-coming election.  I'll be the warden.  DJ.  Warden. Notarian. How many things can one reverter do?  The Peter Principle is alive and well in south-central Maine."  BARNEY, you do any TAD time in Florida?

MARIO WENDETTI provides a complete SitRep: "I'm due for an update.  Besides, I can't let Big AL "The Vehicle Man" GRACEWSKI dominate our column like that.  I know he has lots of toys to write about, but geez AL?  (Actually, I say from first hand observations here in Danville, CA that AL and family are fun people to be around and we miss them.)  Only problem I have providing an update on the WENDETTIs is that I can't remember what I said in my last input.  On the other hand, our memories are deteriorating at roughly the same pace (same slope on curve as it were), so this is likely to be news even if you've read it before. As I'm sure is true with all of us, when our kids finish their senior year in high school and prepare to leave for college, there isn't much point in asking what's new. Daughter Heidi (one and only for MARIO and wife NANCY) had a full year that kept us hopping.  Had a nice vacation over spring break down in Puerto Vallarta and we released the reigns some for the first time. It's my understanding (soon to be verified) that once they're away at school you truly have no control.  (CHRIS DESMOND '70 told me this and it's probably true, but then Chris has all boys and isn't that different?)  Anyway, she handled it well, in fact much better than I did back in my time.  After H.S. graduation, Heidi filled our summer with water polo as she continued her career. She competed in the Junior Olympics in Southern California where her team just missed out on the medal round by the slimmest of margins. We were disappointed but her college coach was there and that made a special connection for her.  As of this writing, we're off to Brown University where Heidi will attend.  We'll all spend some time in New England and be there as she goes through freshman orientation.  I expect to find any reason to go back, maybe even to make three corner stops visiting the Academy too.  NANCY tells me my job now is to show up, take daughter and friends out to an expensive dinner, and of course pay for it all.  Is this true? SCOPER, MOONERS, and PONCHELLI must remember how tight MARIO was with a nickel and can understand how this and tuition frightens him. My work life is unchanged at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the hills above the University.  I was recently promoted to Deputy Director of Environment, Health, and Safety, a challenging and intellectually stimulating job.  Fun to listen and work with folks on the verge of new discoveries even if it's not me making them.  For those interested, we just discovered elements 116 and 118.  Time to myself is dominated by shotgun sports (skeet, trap, sporting clays) and other outdoor activities (skiing, bicycling, motorcycling).  Since I talked to you last (again, the memory is cloudy and I've changed computers so there's no file to check) I've scored the California license plate "BIKR MAN."  It and a t-shirt that says "BIKR MAN hits 50" (from my surprise 50th) are prized possessions.  I know by now both RAGS and LOOMO (GORDO too?) must have rekindled the passion for two-wheelers that WENDETTI never lost.  I ride every day and descending into Berkeley Lab from Grizzly Peak road continues to fire my rockets. But maybe I'm pressing my luck after 33 years.  Would appreciate thoughts any of you have.  But WENDETTI had a skiing accident in January that ultimately required surgery in July for a badly separated shoulder.  So, much of my active life is on hold...but 'I shall return.'  Drop by and see me any time you're in the Bay Area...but call first."  MARIO visited CGA after dropping his daughter off at school up in Providence and noted: "The place looks great.  Big difference?  They run around with their lap tops, not their slide rules."
 
JAY TAYLOR sent in the photo follow-up to BOB CAMUCCIO's story from the October Bulletin on the '71 gathering at THADMIRAL's house. Recognize everyone? Just in case our memories are deteriorating or maybe bifocals need cleaning...kneeling in front are PAM ALLEN, Schooner, and JIM ARMSTRONG with the supporting crowd in back of JAY TAYLOR, SKIP PREZLOMSKI, CAROL PREZLOMSKI, DAYAMIS de la GRANA, BOB CAMUCCIO, JANINE ARMSTRONG, RON SILVADMIRAL, and THADMIRAL ALLEN.

BERT KINGHORN also made an official MLCLANT visit to THADMIRAL's AOR...and it fortunately coincided with the LCDR DAN BURBANK '85 launching into space on September 8th as a mission specialist aboard the Shuttle Atlantis. Looks like the Admirals had pretty good seats!

JERRY KOKOS reported in with positive news about VFA, as the company business is doing very well.  JERRY is President and CEO of Vanderweil Facility Advisors, a company which provides capital planning solutions (software and services) for large building portfolios. They provide this solution in multiple markets such as federal, state and local governments; corporate, health care, higher education and K-12 schools. Current customers include GSA, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Maine, New Jersey, Milwaukee, Motorola, MIT, Tufts Northwestern, University of Illinois, etc.  Shortly after his arrival, JERRY learned the company was discussing an opportunity with RICK SASSE and recently hired RICK as an engineering consultant. But on a personal note, JERRY reports this year has been a trip to hell...he lost his daughter, Mindy (23), to cancer in August after a courageous 4 month battle.  JERRY said that nothing can prepare a parent for that. "Mindy (Melissa) was born in New London while I was stationed at the Academy and had never returned to a hospital until this year when she went in for x-rays on what she thought was a pulled muscle last April.  They discovered a cancerous tumor (melanoma) and despite 4 surgeries and several cycles of chemo and immuno therapy the cancer rapidly spread throughout her body.  I was not familiar with melanoma, but it is a terrible and unbelievably aggressive disease.  Prior to becoming ill she was expected to graduate form college in May and was engaged to get married in September.  She passed away on August 6th." JERRY, from all your classmates...our thoughts, prayers, and sincerest condolences!

DAN & MIDGE SHOTWELL are still lifesavers, involved in wild animal rehabilitation. "Thought you guys might want to see one of the things MIDGE and I have been up to lately.  You'll notice our site <http://www.oocities.org/pennypossum/index.html?973752360530> is heavily biased toward opossums.  We would like to rehabilitate raccoons, but in northeast Ohio, and Medina County in particular, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources wants no raccoons rehabilitated. We are applying for our category 1 wildlife rehabilitators permits and are currently working as sub-permit holders under the Medina Raptor Center's category 2 permit.  If you are interested in our site and the work we do please pass the site along to friends. And if you're really interested, locate a wild animal rehabilitator in your local area and find out what they do and how you can help.  They're dedicated people who work hard for no money because they believe in rehabilitating and releasing injured and orphaned wild animals."

Hopefully you've all responded to CHUCK BECK's Homecoming 2001 Message #1 asking you for your thoughts on his initial planning efforts on our 30th Reunion.  Both he and I will be using E-mail to keep you informed so it's important to get more Classmates on-line. Using a few of those old 33¢ stamps on a little snail mail, six classmates have finally reported around with updates. CHUCK KING signs in with a brief update: "Resigned commission in 1984 (stayed in reserve program) to join private equity firm in NYC. Last Coast Guard tour was in DC, where I was, at various times during the 4 years: military aide to VP George Bush; staff of Secretary of Transportation (Drew Lewis & Elizabeth Dole); executive assistant to DOT Inspector General. Stayed in private equity (doing deals) until 1994, when I got into my present field. I recruit directors for the boards of public companies, eg Exxon, DaimlerChrysler, Nordstrom, RJR Nabisco, Tandy and many others. Also do some very senior executive recruiting. As part of my practice, I consult in the area of Corporate Governance (board of directors related issues).  Our firm, Nordeman Grimm, is a 30 year old retained executive search firm. I came here 3 years ago to build a Board of Directors practice for them, having done the same for another firm from 94-97. Life is good. MARY ANN has stayed by my side for 29 years; 2 grown sons, both through college and gainfully employed. Chuck in professional hockey in Detroit (runs their public relations program); Jonathan in investment banking in NYC. As some may know, went back to grad school on the Coast Guard from 78-80, getting an MBA from Yale (shameless name dropper!).  Look forward to catching up with lots of folks at our 30th."  CHUCK...any positions for old Icebreaker Sailors?

JIM RIESZ responded with just an E-mail address, but then relented with an update: "On the professional side, I am the Administrative Systems Automation Manager for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in good old Washington, DC.  The long title means I manage a staff of automation professions, mainly Oracle, PeopleSoft, and Unix folks.  We are responsible for the system side of finance, human resources, and payroll. And, I'm always looking for good Oracle people!  While I truly enjoyed my Coast Guard career, I think this is the best job I've ever had.  The work is challenging and almost everyone here is smarter than I am!  The Fed does a lot more than monetary policy!  When I retired from the Coast Guard in 1991, I anticipated moving back to Alaska, but this job came along, and it was too good to pass up.  On the personal side, I live in Alexandria in what used to be quaint little subdivision, but is now rapidly being swallowed by unbridled growth.  Other than the traffic, DC is a great place to live.  My youngest daughter, Holly, is married and living in Las Vegas.  My oldest daughter, Jenny, is planning an April 2001 wedding in Cincinnati.  My fiance, CINDY BALLARD, and I have been "engaged" for going on 8 years now...who would want to marry anyone my age!  Golf and travel have become my primary hobbies.  And, I still wear cowboy boots and drive my pickup truck to work!"

RICH COX is Director of Operations for Buildings and Grounds at Vassar College which went coed in 1969, same as Conn College. "This has been my only job since retiring in 1993.  My wife, MARNIE, is the Manager of the College Store at Vassar.  Our daughter, Kristin, has returned home to pursue a career in Marketing, having worked at Disney World for 1 1/2 years after graduating from college. Number 1 son, Keith, finished up a degree in Radiation Technology and is working at a local hospital.  Number 2 son, Kelly, graduated from high school in June '00 and is off at college at SUNY Oswego.  I ran across FRED MULLIGAN, who bailed out 3rd class year.  He is now president of Cutler Associates, a design/build company out of Worcester, MA.  He sort of remembered me (it was almost 31 years, over half a life time ago, which is a scary thought).  He said that he still keeps in touch with BOB MCKINSTRY and RICH SWAIN. We're looking forward to seeing everyone next fall at the big 30."

BOB FOLEY reports around from the University of South Alabama: "After retiring I took a position doing program management and strategic planning for the University. Fifteen months later I became the Assistant Dean in the College of Engineering.  USA has 14,000 students and the College of Engineering has 900 of them in 5 undergraduate degree programs and 3 graduate degrees.  It is a growing program that last year did over $1.5M in externally funded research.  I teach one class each semester in Engineering Design, but mostly manage the business end of running the college.  I really enjoy it and learned quickly that the CG did not breed people that are afraid to work.  It is nice being with a University that appreciates people that work hard for them.  On the personal side, KAREN and I built a new home on the golf course and enjoy golfing and boating in our free time.  Our oldest daughter lives in San Francisco and is getting married next summer.  Our son is a mechanical engineering major, USAF Academy Class of 2002, and hopes to get flight training after graduation."

Reporting around from the other side of Puget Sound is JOHN ROBERTS. "I've been working for United Way of Kitsap County since 1992 managing the Combined Federal Campaign for Kitsap and Mason Counties which includes Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Submarine Base Bangor, and a few other Navy facilities.  I've also been doing seasonal work preparing tax returns.  Our daughter, Melinda, is in her fifth year at Simpson College in Redding, CA.  She decided to double major, and will graduate this spring with a degree in English and Biblical Studies.  For the time being, she plans to find a job and stay in Redding because a certain young man (Dave) still has one year to go.  She has been getting quite a view of the world.  Between her freshman and sophomore years, she spent five weeks teaching English to elementary school kids in Thailand. That was quite a challenge because she doesn't know Thai and the kids only knew the English she and another American student were able to convey by acting out what they were teaching.  Between her junior and first senior year she spent a couple months participating in mission projects in Paris, Marseille, and Toulouse France.  Three years of high school French came in handy.  Then last summer she traveled with Dave to meet his parents who are missionaries in Quito, Ecuador.  JUDY is starting to get used to having her daughter do so much travelling, but she still doesn't like it...hard to let go. Our son, Andrew, should be graduating from high school this year.  We're still wondering what he will do then."

BOB TRAINOR's alive and well about 7 miles east of Dulles International Airport.  He left the Coast Guard in 1982 while stationed at MIO Philadelphia. "I returned to school for a couple of years before accepting a civilian position in Coast Guard Headquarters in April 1984.  I worked as a chemical engineer in the hazardous materials branch of the then Office of Marine Safety. As a matter of fact, LARRY GIBSON was my boss at one point. In November 1987, I was hired by the National Transportation Safety Board as an accident investigator again specializing in hazardous materials. I have been here ever since, and am now the Associate Director for Hazardous Materials in the Office of Railroad, Pipeline, and Hazardous Materials Investigations. On the personal side, I met my wife, SUSAN, shortly before leaving active duty, and we were married in 1983. We have a seven year-old daughter, Sarah, who keeps us busy. We've lived in Northern Virginia for 13 years now, long enough to call it home."

Received PUBA's Christmas letter just before posting these notes...more CONGRATULATIONS are in order.  In June, BOB & CHERI GONOR's granddaughter Emily was born. PUBA, where are the photos?  No excuse, sir!  We expect 'em next issue!

RON & BEV SILVA journeyed west for a Thanksgiving visit with sons Bucky and Matthew.  MARY JANE & I got to spend a enjoyable Sunday evening hosting them at Casa de Swedberg.  BEV job shares a position at the State Dept., as a Tour guide and receptionist for the Diplomatic Reception Rooms, which enables me to travel whenever I want to.  They're thrilled that RON's not moving this summer from the job he loves as Chief Engineer and she gets to continue hers. She writes that Bucky has enlisted in the Seabees (now maybe OCS!) and that they'll be back in mid January to help him and to get our younger son, Matthew, reorganized.  With daughter Cynthia working on her own in the Big Apple, BEV says they have two children on their way to complete independence with one to go.

I know I'm repeating from last edition, but it's still not to late to drop THADMIRAL and PAT each a congratulatory Bravo Zulu.  And don't forget ... keep me posted on your changing E-mail or snail mail addresses and let's try and track down all our Classmates for our 30th.  We're adjourned!